Roshan bags USD65m loan for 3G rollout

Telecom Development Company Afghanistan, which operates under the ‘Roshan’ brand name, has secured funding from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to support the rollout of its 3G network, Afghan news portal Khaama Press reports. The IFC will provide debt financing for USD65 million for the deployment. Commenting on the cellco’s plans for 3G Roshan CEO Karim Khoja said: ‘In just a short period of time, the Afghan telecommunications market has grown rapidly and Roshan spearheaded that development … Now we are ready to lead the broadband revolution for Afghanistan’s next generation. Apart from providing even faster speed and access for our customers, 3G’s enhanced connectivity enables greater access to vital, quality telecommunications that stimulate social and economic development in a host of sectors such as healthcare, education and finance.’ As previously noted by TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database, Roshan was awarded Afghanistan’s third 3G concession in September 2012, paying USD25 million for the authorisation.